Education
‘I’m Innocent’ — UNILORIN SU President Kicks After Suspension Over Alleged Misappropriation Of Funds
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The union’s senate council accused him of various irregularities.
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The suspended president allegedly walked out of a council sitting addressing the allegations against him.
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He, however, argued that he left the sitting to ease himself.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Senate Council of the Students’ Union (SU), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has suspended the union’s Executive President, Faji Tobiloba, over allegations of insubordination, encroachment of constitutional duties, abuse of office, and misappropriation of funds.
The council suspended Tobiloba for 60 academic days after a two-third majority approved a motion to temporarily oust the union leader.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Tobiloba allegedly held union’s funds inappropriately and also usurped the duties of the public relations officer (PRO) in passing information to students.
In a statement, the union’s senate council said the suspended president walked out of its sitting on Saturday after the clerk read out the charges against him.
“The Executive President of the union was summoned on charges of irregularity, encroachment of constitutional duties, insubordination and misappropriation of funds against him as read by the clerk. This was reacted to by the President of the union by walking out of the sitting,” the statement reads.
Subsequently, the union swore in the vice president (permanent site), Oseni Arinola as the acting president pending Tobiloba’s return to office.
Oseni Arinola (L) being sworn in as UNILORIN SU acting president
In a statement signed by Arinola and the union’s spokesperson, Balogun Abiodun, they informed students of the president’s suspension.
“In lieu of this (suspension), Comrade Oseni Islamiat Arinola has been sworn in as the Acting President with effect and will begin to discharge the constitutional duties of the Students’ Union President immediately,” the statement said.
SUSPENDED PRESIDENT DECRIES ‘UNJUST’ SUSPENSION
In a message to students via his Twitter handle, Tobiloba said nothing would make him misappropriate union’s resources as alleged.
The suspended president, who claimed that he didn’t disregard the senate council, explained the circumstances that led to the allegations against him.
He also sought to clarify allegations that he had usurped the duties of the union’s spokesperson.
FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BELOW:
Fellow Unilorites, the last few hours have been confusing and demands a clarification from myself as thousands of UNILORITES keep calling.
It is on this note that a public clarification is necessary. I would like to narrate my side of the ALLEGATIONS on irregularities,
Encroachment of constitutional duties,
Insubordination and Misappropriation of funds.
On the count of Fund misappropriation, I would like to state that I understand responsibility and transparency, and I operate by the tenets guiding these ideologies.
I would for no reason misappropriate resources meant for the Union and by extension the students of the better by far institution. Since my emergence as President, prioritizing the welfare of Unilorites has been my priority, and I have since then not fallen short of duties expected of me. In the very height of the period when we were faced with transportation issues on campus, and students were frustrated with deadlines for payment of the University Charges (school fees), a sum of six thousand Nigerian Naira (#6,000) meant for the Union was received in CASH from Mr Fatai popularly known as -Baba Wasila, the chairman of Keke Riders Association on Campus. I collected the sum on account of the Unavailability of the Financial Secretary in his office or in the Students’ Union Building on the said day.
I kept the money in the locker of my desk at the Students’ Union Building as I could not pass it on to the Financial Secretary at the moment, and I was drawn in by the overwhelming demand to discharge my duties for the days.
Some days later, I came across the said sum in the locker and approached the Fin. Sec., but surprisingly, he rejected it because I had initially collected it on his behalf and considered it a disregard of his office. After the outburst, I then proceeded to returning the cash to the keke riders chairman. How this becomes misappropriation or overlapping of duties remains unclear. It is pertinent to note that, I’m first a student of this institution, and by extension, a member of the Students’ Union, before been the President of the Union.
As a member of the Union, I believe in the ideology of freedom of information. As President, I also believe that Unilorites deserves to enjoy Swift and timely information on matters relating to the Union. On the allegation of encroachment of constitutional duties.
I do not believe I have taken any action that contradict the provisions of the student handbook or Union’s compedium, the rule of the University, or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Communicating with members of our community or constituents on matters that Directly affect them, albeit utilizing personal media accounts, does not & should not count as an overlap of duty or irregularities. If any article or publication that negates official publications from the Unions media handle exists, I would like such publication to be present And duly examined. So long as no such publication exists, I am only acting in my capacity as an altruistic member of the Union. If anything, disseminating information to Unilorites should augment the duties of the PRO if truly the office is as effective as it’s expected of it.
Finally, modern Unilorites, on the matter of walking out of the sitting, in the course of the proceedings, I felt uneasy and needed to answer the call of nature. Upon my return to the sitting, I realized that a motion for my suspension has already been raised and passed.
In my absence. As a responsible student of this great institution, and law-abiding member of the Union, I am currently in consultation with my legal team, and at the moment, I do not wish to make further deliberations on the matter, as it is now for the courts to decide.
FURTHER READING
This current setback is a test on my resolve to always put Unilorites first devoid of political affiliations, personal aggandizement or nepotism play in the corridors of power. On a final note, I assure Unilorites that I won’t stop at nothing to ensure the Welfare, Image and Dignity of the Union and her members remain untainted.
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